People are getting Dumber because....realtiy TV?

[Zantos]

While I don't think people are getting dumber, they certainly got lazier with their resources and information gathering. I mean, most kids these days can operate smartphone, computer, gaming console, TVs, other various electrical appliances, yet tell them to do something for research and they will fail horribly without internet for example.

To be fair, that's like saying "builders are getting lazier, if you took away all of their electronic tools they'd fail horribly!"

We rely on the technology of the present and that's how it'll always be. If we spent just as much of our lives learning how to get things done in the way of a previous generation, we'd spend half as much time developing the current generation. It's a weakness, sure, but so long as that technology doesn't disappear it's not a problem.

Sure, my writing has gotten worse since I left school, but I can't think of a time I've had to write anything longer than "GONE TO SHOPS - BE RIGHT BACK" without using a keyboard.

But we rely on technology a little too much, since it can accomplish tasks that were previously done manually. I work with children as my part time job, and there are kids, about 9-11 years old that can't tie their shoelaces, yet can make you an account on facebook, show you stuff on your smartphone etc. We became adept at task that can be done via technology, while our practical side has suffered somewhat. (again, I'm not against technology, I get what the benefits are)

I'd say that example is a little sketchy at best. No one has ever instinctively known how to tie shoes, it's something you either pick up over time or are taught. I doubt the kids can't tie their shoes through what you might call stupidity, more that their parents never sat them down and showed them how to do it, or they never paid close attention to others doing it. It doesn't matter how much or little tech you have, if you aren't willing to learn and no one is willing to teach you then you aren't going to be able to do it, and that applies to using computers, tying shoes, building something.

 

[Iron Criterion]

I don't really care to be honest. I've tasked myself with constantly increasing my own knowledge, learning all I can whilst I can. That's all that matters to me, so I could not care less whether little Timmy likes his reality TV.

 

[Avaholic03]

It's not that people are getting dumber. The problem is that people were never very smart to begin with, and now TV networks are realizing how to exploit that to make shows on a minimum budget (i.e. reality TV where they don't have to pay professional actors or writers, just put a bunch of conflicting personalities together and film the result) with more product placement and stuff to increase revenue, and still millions of people watch it because "there's nothing else on". Until consumers demand better, we're going to get mostly lowest common denominator programming because it's cheap and easy to produce.

It's not just reality TV either. The same could be said for boiler-plate sitcoms, endless procedural cop dramas, etc. Things with mediocre production value, terrible writing and cliche characters...doing just enough to get by.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

I'd say it's all a giant heap of horse shite. People are always bitching that everything's going to the dogs, intelligence is no different. People were probably saying pretty much the same shit 100 years ago.

 

[MHR]

We aren't getting dumber, we were always this dumb and the age of television and social networking just gives you new ways to see just how dumb.

I find the old South Park saying to be true. At least 1/4th of all people are retarded. Yeah dude, at LEAST 1/4th.

Things with mediocre production value, terrible writing and cliche characters...doing just enough to get by.

... say what now? I don't think I like your tone....

 

[fix-the-spade]

take a look at the comments..

You'll have to forgive me, but the transposition in the title has me in a giggle fit.

Intentional or not that's made my day.

 

[KabutoGodTier420]

Dumbness is a measure of intelligence. You can't become dumber because of reality TV, rather the target audience are those who are inherently stupid.

 

[Thaluikhain]

does it not occur to people that shows like jersy shore, honey boo boo, toddlers and tiaras hold a certain apeal similar to an old stlye freak show? sure you may be "above" such forms of entertainment, but you could understand the fascination with watching these crazy people on screen, the same kind of fascination you get from watching a nature documentary...or a fail video? we love dysfunction..we can;t get enough of it. Isn't the Idea behind these shows for us to sit back and think "thank god I'm not like THEM" don;t you think there's even a small chance Snooki might be in on the joke?

Exactly...Honey Boo Boo is just slum tourism, and that's been around for decades. In the old days, you had to go out of your house to where the poor people lived to see what people do when they've go no money, nowdays you don't have to leave your living room.